tion that Robert is dead": the Robert referred to is a Robert Hallett (a brother-in-law) who was residing near my sister (Mrs. Ponting) at Sturminster Newton, Dorset. He had been bed-ridden from paralysis for this last two years, but had recently been much worse.
I at once entered full particulars in my diary. Date, Feb. 15. Message, and time of message, 9.40 p.m. My sister-in-law was present the whole time, and can vouch for the circumstances. On the 17th I received a post-card from my sister at Sturminster Newton, bearing date Feb. 16th, stating, that "Robert had passed away, will write to-morrow."
In the meantime I had written to my sister Mrs. Ponting, mentioning my presentiment, and our letters crossed, for the following morning a letter came from her (I must mention here she had been assisting in nursing my brother-in-law), saying, "I was glad you had a presentiment of poor Robert's release, he passed away at 7.45 p.m., then Lottie [my niece Lottie Hallett] and I came home till 9.40, and that was the time you had the impression."
I wish to state two facts in connection with the foregoing case. (1) I was not thinking of him at the time, my mind being engrossed in my appointment, and the impression came so startlingly sudden, which caused me to hastily say. There!!! . . . as before stated; and (2) at the same moment, I had a sense of a presence at my left, so much so, that I looked sharply round, but found no one there.
This was my first and only impression during his long illness.
The note in the diary is as follows[1]:
- ↑ The note occurs, not on the dated pages, but on some blank sheets at the end of the diary, amongst other memoranda. The previous memo. is dated 12th Feb.. the two following entries are dated, in this order, Feb. 28th and Feb. 19th. The entry of the 15th contains therefore no internal evidence of having been written at the time.
